Rio Ferdinand believes England only have one ‘genuinely world-class player’ at the World Cup.
The Three Lions made a hugely promising start to their World Cup campaign, beating Croatia 4-2 on Wednesday night to take control of Group L.
Harry Kane’s first-half brace was not enough to earn England a half-time lead as goals from Marin Baturina and Petar Musa kept Croatia in the game.
England were comfortably the superior team in the second half, however, and made a winning start to the World Cup thanks to goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.
Don’t miss a World Cup moment
Lionel Messi’s hat-trick. Cape Verde’s heroics. Those Scottish fans.
It’s been a memorable World Cup so far – our daily newsletter helps you make the most of it. Sign up.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will look to book their place in the knockout stages when they face Ghana on Tuesday before taking on Panama in their final Group L clash.
Ferdinand was encouraged by England’s performance against Croatia and believes there are signs the Three Lions can go deep in the World Cup.
The Manchester United legend is optimistic about England’s chances despite claiming Tuchel only has one ‘genuinely world-class player’ at his disposal in captain Kane.
Kane, already England’s record goalscorer, equalled Gary Lineker as the nation’s leading scorer at World Cups in the Croatia win.
The 32-year-old Tottenham legend, who is behind only Alan Shearer for Premier League goals, enjoyed another sensational season at Bayern Munich, netting 61 goals in 51 appearances.
‘Harry Kane is our only genuinely world-class player right now,’ six-time Premier League winner Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
‘There’s others teetering around it but he’s the absolutely world-class player in the squad. If you’re looking at players who sit right at the top table and are there comfortably? He is that for England.’
Lineker also heaped praise on Kane after England’s World Cup opener, hailing him as the ‘the greatest striker we’ve ever had’.
‘Welcome to the double-figures club,’ Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. ‘It’s great – I mean, it may have taken him a World Cup more.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
‘In all seriousness, Harry Kane is, I think, the greatest English striker we’ve ever had. I genuinely think that now.
‘I’m absolutely delighted that Kane equalled my record. His all-round game is, for me, what separates him from all the others.’
Fellow former England striker Alan Shearer added: ‘Harry Kane has seen Messi, Mbappe and Haaland all come on straight away and get the goals.
‘It’s only a matter of time before he breaks your record.’
While Kane is undoubtedly one of if not the best striker in world football, he is not the only England player who has been given ‘world-class’ status.
Declan Rice is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world after enjoying another superb season in which he helped Arsenal win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final.
Jude Bellingham is also seen as one of the best players on the planet having won the Champions League and La Liga since joining European giants Real Madrid.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.